Storage box

ABSTRACT

A storage box includes an outer case to be fixed to an attachment member; an inner case slidably disposed in the outer case for holding an article; an urging device disposed between the inner case and the outer case for urging the inner case toward an opening; a latching device for locking the inner case; and a holder disposed at the inner case for holding the article within the inner case. The holder extends along a direction that the inner case slides and has an arm section for holding the article, a guide section for guiding the arm section to hold the article, and a shaft section rotatably supported on the inner case. The arm section passes an opening of the inner case when the inner case moves inwardly in the outer case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The present invention relates to a storage box for stably storing andholding a remote control key unit, a mobile phone, or the like.

Inside an automobile or the like, cassette tape cases and CDs may bestacked disorderly when they are not in use, thereby making it difficultto distinguish one from the other. It is convenient to have a containerfor easily arranging cassette tapes and CDs for storage or a storage boxfor storing cassette tapes and CDs in an inserted state. However, when astorage space having an opening is provided, it is difficult to take outcontent such as cases. Further, content such as cases also may fall andscatter around in a vehicle, thereby creating clutter, distracting adriver, and posing a danger. In order to solve the problems, thefollowing Patent References disclose techniques for holding contentssuch as cases in a stored state.

Patent Reference 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No.08-192

Patent Reference 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication (Kokai) No.03-93492

In a structure disclosed in Patent Reference 1, when content isinserted, a bent section 24 disposed at a rocking section 23 is bent toform a rectangular shape of the content. A protrusion of the bentsection 24 abuts against a surface of the content, so that the contentis held between a bottom portion 20 and the bent section 24.Accordingly, the device is suitable for storing an object such as acassette tape within a storage box. When an elongated article such as aremote controller with a surface projecting from an inner case, i.e.,content not engaging the bent section 24 (as described in PatentReference 1), is stored, or an article is not tightly held between thebent section 24 and the bottom portion 20, the content wobbles uponrapid braking or starting of a vehicle and may fall out of the storagebox.

In the structure of the storage box described in Patent Reference 1,when the content has a different shape as described above, the bentsection 24 for preventing the content from projecting stays in parallelwith the rocking section 23. That is, the bent section 24 does not bendinwardly in the inner case with the rocking section 23, thereby makingit difficult to handle the content described above.

Moreover, a plate spring 12 is installed at a back wall of an outer caseas urging means for urging the inner case toward an opening of the outercase. Accordingly, the inner case storing the content moves with anurging force and stops at a projected position, thereby making it easyto remove the content. However, there is no means for damping the urgingmeans, thereby deteriorating operational feeling.

In the structures of the storage boxes disclosed in Patent References 1and 2, the opening opens widely when nothing is stored. Accordingly,when not in use, dust and trash tend to enter the storage box, therebycausing damage on a mechanism of the storage box.

As described in Patent Reference 1, when the content is inserted, therocking section 23 rotates from a bent state with a hinge section 22 ofthe inner case, and becomes linear relative to a sliding section 21, sothat the bent section 24 holds an end surface of the content. In orderfor the bent section to securely hold the content at the end surface,however, the content needs to have a rectangular shape such as acassette tape and CD. Otherwise, the content may rattle.

In view of the above problems, the present invention has been made, andan object of the invention is to provide a storage box, wherein it ispossible to securely hold an article having a shape different from acircular shape or a narrower width than the inner case.

Another object of the invention is to provide a storage box as describedabove, wherein it is possible to prevent dust and trash form entering,and hold the content securely, thereby making an operation of thestorage box high quality.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the problems, according to a first aspect of thepresent invention, an inner case is urged in an outer case toward anopening. When a latch is released, the inner case storing content moveswithin the outer case. A holder is attached to the inner case with ashaft, and a guide is disposed at the outer case for guiding the holder.The holder rotates, so that an arm section of the holder penetrates theinner case to hold the content. Accordingly, it is possible to securelyhold an article even if it is smaller than the inner case.

According to a second aspect, a guide with a plate shape is provided onan inner side of the outer case. A guide groove is formed in the guidefor guiding the holder holding the content. The guide groove is inclinedinwardly toward the opening, so that the holder moves freely.Accordingly, as the inner case enters the outer case, the arm section ofthe holder can penetrate the inner case, thereby stably holding thecontent having a width smaller than the case or a varied shape.

According to a third aspect, urging means is attached to one of theinner case and the outer case, and damping means such as a rotary damperis provided for damping an urging force of the urging means. When theinner case is released from the outer case, a gear of the rotary damperengages a linear gear section, so that the inner case projects smoothly,thereby eliminating low quality feeling associated with the urgingforce.

According to a fourth aspect, a cover is provided at the opening of theinner case for opening and closing, and is urged toward a closedposition with urging means. The cover completely closes the opening whenno content is stored in the storage box, thereby preventing dust andtrash from entering.

In addition, the cover is urged in a direction to close the opening.Accordingly, the content is held by the cover from above as well as theholder, thereby holding the content stably.

According to a fifth aspect, the arm section of the holder is flexiblefor absorbing varying sizes and shapes of the content. Even when anarticle is rectangular, the arm section of the holder forms a flexiblearc, thereby handling shape variations.

As described above, in the present invention, the flexible arm sectionis disposed at the holder that penetrates the inner case storing anarticle. The holder swings with the guide groove disposed on the guidein an inclined state. Accordingly, it is possible to securely hold thearticle having a shape different from a circular shape or a narrowerwidth than the inner case. The storage box of the present invention issuitably installed at a location with a swing or vibration, particularlywithin a motor vehicle.

In addition, the inner case is urged toward the opening of the outercase with the urging means. The damping means is provided for dampingthe urging means. The cover is provided for completely closing theopening with the urging means. Accordingly, it is possible to preventdust and trash form entering, and hold the content securely, therebymaking an operation of the storage box high quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a storage box;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the storage box in a state that contentprojects;

FIG. 3 is a right side view showing the storage box in a state that thecontent projects;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line 4,5-4,5in FIG. 3 in a state that the content projects;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line 4,5-4,5in FIG. 3 in a state that the content is stored;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line 6,7-6,7in FIG. 3 in a state that the content projects;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line 6,7-6,7in FIG. 3 in a state that the content is stored;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the storage box with no content;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the storage box in a state that thecontent projects; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective showing the storage box in a state that thecontent is stored.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing components of a storage box in adisassembled state. As shown in the figure, an outer case 1 with an openfront side (large opening 1 e) and an inner case 2 are arranged suchthat the inner case 2 slides within the outer case 1 in an in/outdirection. For this purpose, rails 1 g are disposed on inner plates laof the outer case 1 for receiving protruding strips 2 c formed on theinner case 2, so that the inner case 2 moves straight in the in/outdirection.

Further, a mounting hole 1 k is provided in a perpendicular wall 1 j ofthe rails 1 g of the outer case 1 for holding a latch 5, i.e., latchingmeans with a latch arm 5 a disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3072911 orthe like, for engaging a striker 2 i disposed on the inner case 2. Whenthe inner case 2 moves into the outer case 1, the inner case 2 is lockedin a state entirely stored within the outer case 1.

A large hole 1 c is provided in a bottom plate 1 b of the outer case 1for mounting a rotary damper 3 disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication(Kokoku) No. 04-34015 or the like. The rotary damper 3 is fixed withinthe large hole 1 c with screws 3 b. A small hole 1 h is provided in thebottom plate 1 b of the outer case 1 for hooking one end of a largespring 4, i.e., urging means for urging the inner case 2 toward outsidethe outer case 1. A hole 2 f is formed in the bottom plate 2 b of theinner case 2 for hooking the other end of the large spring 4. The largespring 4 is formed of a torsion coil spring, and is not limited to thetorsion coil spring as far as the spring urges the inner case 2 towardoutside the outer case 1. A coil spring and a plate spring may be used.

A rotary damper 3 has a gear 3 a (not shown) for engaging a rack 2 e(not shown) disposed on the bottom plate 2 b in a direction of pullingout the inner case 2, so that the inner case 2 is controlled uponprotruding with the urging force of the large spring 4.

Guides 1 h are provided above the rails 1 g disposed on inner sides ofthe side plates 1 a of the outer case 1 along the direction that theinner case 2 slides, and have grooves 1 i with at least sectionsinclined inwardly in the inner case 2. Holders 7 are rotatably supportedon support holes 2 h(1) of support sections 2 h projecting from outersides of the side plates 2 a of the inner case 2. Guide sections 7 ddisposed at rear ends 7 b of the holders 7 trace the grooves 1 i, sothat the holders move smoothly.

Each of the holders 7 is formed in a curved strip shape, and is dividedinto a mid section 7 a, the rear end 7 b, and an arm section 7 c. Asshown in the figure, the mid section 7 a extends in parallel to the sideplate 2 a of the inner case 2. The rear end 7 b is integrally providedat a rear end of the mid section 7 a, and is bent about 30 degreesoutwardly relative to the side plate 2 a. The arm section 7 c with an Lshape is integrally provided at a front end of the mid section 7 a, andis bent 90 degrees inwardly relative to the mid section 7 a and furtherbent 90 degrees forward. Further, shaft sections 7 e are provided on atop and bottom of the mid section 7 a at a bent section between the midsection 7 a and the rear end 7 b, and are rotatably supported on thesupport holes 2 h(1) of the support section 2 h of the inner case 2. Theguide section 7 d is provided at an upper rear end of the rear end 7 bfor tracing the groove 1 i of the guide 1 h. A front end of the armsection 7 c with an L shape, i.e., a section extending substantially inparallel with the mid section 7 a, is flexible and formed in a gentlearc shape. A slip-proof material such as a non-woven cloth (not shown)is attached to the front end for preventing the content from slipping.

The outer case 1 has a back opening 1 f, and a back plate 9 is providedat the back opening 1 f for preventing dust, trash, or the like fromentering. Similarly, a front frame 8 is fastened for improving anappearance of the large opening 1 e. A front cover 6 is disposed on theinner case 2 for closing the large opening 2 g. The front cover 6 has ashaft 6 a supported on holes 2 f of the inner case 2 and holds thecontent securely. An urging force of a spring 6 b urges the front cover6 in a direction of closing the large opening 1 e, thereby holding thecontent from above.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the storage box of the present inventionin an assembled state wherein the content projects. The front frame 8 isfixed at the front face, and about one third of the content is stored.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the storage box of the present inventionin the assembled state wherein the content projects, and lines 4,5-4,5and 6,7-6,7 are shown for sectional views of FIGS. 4 to 7 (describedbelow).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the storage box in the state wherein thecontent projects taken along line 4,5-4,5 in FIG. 3. In the statewherein the content projects, the latch 5 is released.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line 4,5-4,5in FIG. 3 in a state wherein the content is stored.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line 6,7-6,7in FIG. 3 in a state wherein the content projects.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the storage box taken along line 6,7-6,7in FIG. 3 in a state wherein the content is stored. When the storage boxstores the content, the mid sections 7 a of the holders 7 are heldsubstantially in parallel to the side plates 2 b of the inner case 2. Inthe stored state, the arm sections 7 c penetrate the inner case 2through the openings 2 g to press against and hold the content, and thearm sections 7 c are formed in an L-shape and deformable. In this state,the rear ends 7 b are bent about 30 degrees outwardly relative to theinner case 2 as compared to the mid sections 7 a. The holders 7 aresupported on the support holes 2 h(1) of the support sections 2 h of theinner case 2, and the guide sections 7 d are guided in the grooves 1 iat the sections where the mid section 7 a of the holders 7 are connectedto the rear ends 7 b. Accordingly, when the inner case 2 moves withinthe outer case 1, the rear ends 7 b rotate around the shaft sections 7 eapproximately 20 degrees outwardly relative to the inner case. When theinner case 2 projects from the outer case 1 to release the content, therear ends 7 b rotate approximately 20 degrees toward inside the innercase around the shaft sections 7 e and return to the initial position.The holders rotate approximately 20 degrees according to the shape ofthe grooves 1 i, and can rotate a specific angle by adjusting an angleof the grooves. The rotary damper 3 damps the urging force of the largespring 4, so that the inner case 2 is smoothly ejected from the outercase 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the storage box with no content 10. Asshown in the figure, the storage box is assembled, and the front frame 8is fixed at the large opening le of the outer case 1 retaining the innercase 2. There is no content inserted in the inner case 2, so that thelarge opening 2 g is closed with the front cover 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the storage box in the statewherein the content projects. The content 10 is inserted in the innercase 2, and the front cover 6 is in the opened state and invisible.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the storage box in the statewherein the content is stored.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-056793, filed onFeb. 2, 2004, is incorporated in the application.

While the invention has been explained with reference to the specificembodiments of the invention, the explanation is illustrative and theinvention is limited only by the appended claims.

1. A storage box comprising: an outer case to be fixed to an attachmentmember and having a first opening and a guide, an inner case slidablydisposed in the outer case for holding an article and having a sidewall, a second opening formed in the sidewall and a third opening at afront side thereof, urging means disposed between the inner case and theouter case for urging the inner case toward the first opening, latchingmeans for locking the inner case within the outer case against theurging means, and a holder attached to the inner case for holding thearticle within the inner case, said holder extending along a directionthat the inner case slides and having an arm section at a front end forholding the article, a guided section at a rear end guided by the guidefor guiding the arm section toward a position that the arm section holdsthe article when the inner case moves inwardly relative to the outercase, and a shaft section disposed between the arm section and theguided section and rotatably supported on the inner case, said armsection passing through the second opening when the inner case movesinwardly relative to the outer case.
 2. A storage box according to claim1, wherein said guide includes an inclined portion engaging the guidedsection of the holder to move the arm section in and out relative to theinner case according to a movement of the inner case.
 3. A storage boxaccording to claim 2, wherein said guide includes a plate disposed on aninner side of the outer case and a groove formed in the plate to extendalong the direction that the inner case slides, said groove guiding theguided section and having said inclined portion inclined inwardly towardthe second opening.
 4. A storage box according to claim 3, wherein saidholder has an elongated shape, and said arm section has a flexible arcshape.
 5. A storage box according to claim 3, wherein said guide andsaid holder are formed on each of two lateral sides of the outer andinner cases to hold the article from two sides.
 6. A storage boxaccording to claim 1, further comprising a rotary damper with a geardisposed on one of the inner case and the outer case for damping theurging means, and a linear gear section disposed on the other of theinner case and the outer case for engaging the gear.
 7. A storage boxaccording to claim 1, further comprising a cover attached to the innercase for closing the third opening.